Love Me

30

DAKSH'S P.O.V

I don't understand what has happened to her. Suddenly, she has been ignoring me for the last four days. I can't figure this girl out. Her silence is making me feel distressed. I can't even concentrate on teaching my students because this madam keeps on talking in class, as if testing my patience.

Whatever happens, I won't let her sit on the last bench anymore.

She has made three or four new friends. And I can clearly see my Roshni trying to dress up like them matching their clothes, styling her hair differently.

Enough is enough. I will cut her wings today.

Straightening my shoulders, I walked toward the classroom. I had their class in the morning shift, and since I didn't have any in the evening, I would be free by noon. So I will talk to Roshni in the evening.

When I entered, the usual murmurs died down. I began distributing their test papers one by one, my gaze moving casually until it landed on her. My love.

She glanced at the paper, her brows barely twitching, then placed it flat on the desk and rested her head on her arms. Is she not even going to try?

My jaw clenched. I began pacing between the rows, my footsteps echoing against the tiles. When I reached her desk, I knocked on it with the edge of my knuckles.

"Do it. Why are you sleeping?" I demanded, keeping my voice firm.

She lifted her head slowly, mischief dancing in her eyes, and then like a dagger through my restraint she stuck her tongue out at me. "I'm done. Can I go now?" she asked, sliding an entirely blank sheet into my hand.

A ripple of murmurs spread across the room. My throat tightened.

"Whoever fails this test will have to attend an extra session in the evening everyday." I said loudly, my gaze fixed only on her. The words were meant for her ears alone, but the whole class stiffened. Yes no one like to take extra class.

"You want to continue, or you want to give it back to me?" I asked again, my tone sharpened. But she simply pushed the paper toward me, rose from her chair, and walked out without looking back.

My chest burned. "I actually have to talk to her," I muttered under my breath, and after the bell ring I started collecting papers from the rest of the students.

Some followed her example, handing in sheets half-filled with scribbles, but my mind wasn't on them. It was on Roshni. Always on her.

Evening~

The house was quiet except for the soft hum of the television. Roshni sat curled on the couch, her eyes fixed on the screen, but the moment I stepped inside, she stiffened. Without a word, she rose and slipped away toward the hallway.

"Roshni, come back here!" My voice filled the space.

She froze mid-step, her shoulders trembling, then turned her head with a flinch.

"I won't," she whispered, nervousness clear in her tone.

"Roshni, I said come back here!" My voice rang louder this time, leaving no room for argument.

She startled, then hurried toward me, stopping inches away, her head bowed. Her small hands twisted together as if she was afraid of what I might say next.

I studied her face, the stubbornness, i felt my own restraint snap. "What's wrong with you? Why are you behaving like this? Do you really want us to be intimate? Fine, let's do it."

I seized her arm, not roughly, but firmly enough that she knew I meant every word, and pulled her into my bedroom.

The door clicked shut behind us, the lock sliding into place. The air between us thickened.